Q. December just started and already I'm running around to holiday parties and out of fun, festive frocks! I need some vintage holiday dress inspiration stat!

A. `Tis the season to rock vintage, as the holidays are a playful and nostalgic time of year. Look out for these top vintage holiday trends on your next shopping trip, and `yule' be covered (sorry, couldn't help it)!

Nightie Night
Long sheer vintage nightgowns are a soft and romantic way to dazzle the scene, not to mention they're very easy find. This season, Valentino showed a very Valley of the Dolls floor length white column dress with a giant pale pink bow at the neck and Chanel updated a pretty powder blue number with high heeled boots, while Marc Jacobs went with a dusty lilac version of the nightie look in his Fall '10 show. Since the look was featured so heavily on the runway, vintage shops will be sure to move their versions to the front of store. While they're easy to hem, they're often less easy to adjust around the bust, so make sure it fits!. Top your floaty find with a black blazer or leather jacket for a look more polished rock n' roll vibe instead of a just rolled out of bed look.
Snow White
Winter white's feminine and classic, and its simplicity is a standout this time of year. Go for the classic movie star thing by pairing a slinky vintage gown with white fur, or make it modern by opting for a bright vintage party dress topped with white shearling a la Burberry. Take a page from Celine and make any white vintage dress more modern by sporting black tights and black heels. But when you're buying the basic white piece, make sure it's stain-free and relatively simple. Stay away from vintage embellishment and it's near impossible to find evening appropriate white lace in impeccable condition.
Red Velvet Crush
Bright cheery cherry red's a favorite this time of year, and nothing says it's a winter wonderland quite like supple, elegant velvet—one of fall's biggest trends. Combine the two and you have a holiday powerhouse on your hands. If you can score a draped dress from Dolce & Gabbana or a red velvet tuxedo thanks to Altuzarra, then you don't need our help. But if you're committed to scoring something vintage, stay simple—like a shrunken velvet blazer or a skinny trouser. If you're going for a dress, keep it short.